Moving is probably one of the biggest projects you will ever take on. It’s unbelievable how much you’ve accumulated. That’s why it is important to have a plan of action when you have decided to move. In order to make life much easier, the associates at Moving Out have put together a list of helpful hints for organizing your move. In general, our list provides a guide to certain aspects that may be overlooked. We hope you find the following tips useful.
• Obtain a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household goods you want to keep. • Begin an inventory of all household goods. • Contact your insurance agent, and ask them about your homeowners, or rental policy to determine whether your possessions are covered when moving. • Establish a file for all moving papers and receipts. • Arrange to transfer children's school records. • Call your moving company to schedule the moving date.
• Fill out post-office change of address cards. • Send your new address to anyone that might need it -- insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, etc. • Clean out closets and dispose of all items that you will not be taking with you. • Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities.
• For self packing, obtain necessary moving supplies, boxes, twine, labels, etc. • Start packing in advance. • If your moving company is doing the packing, arrange for it to be done one or two days before loading begins. • Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair or cleaning as needed. • Gather valuable personal papers that you may need at your final destination location, including medical and dental records, school records, birth certificates, etc. • Make travel plans and arrange any motel or other reservations if needed.
• Arrange to have utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, internet, etc.) disconnected in your present home, and connected at your new home. • Ready car registration and insurance records for transfer. • Notify State Motor Vehicle Bureau of your new address. • Arrange for child care on moving day. • If necessary, reserve apartment elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
• Arrange to move pets. • Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids. • If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.
• Transfer all bank accounts. • Cancel newspaper/magazine delivery. • Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your final destination. • Make arrangements to pay for your move. • Withdraw items and close safety deposit boxes.
• Have your moving company pack your goods (unless doing it yourself). • Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to be moved. • Set aside valuable items to carry with you including jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable small items.
• Be on hand to answer questions and give directions to your moving company and stay until they are finished. • Accompany driver for inventory of your household goods. • Complete information on bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it. • Make sure you have your copies of the bill of lading and inventory. • Keep the bill of lading until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled. • Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain nothing has been left behind. • Give the driver directions to your new home. • Notify the driver and the van line where you can be reached during the move.
• Be on hand to answer any questions and give directions. • You must pay the driver before your goods can be unloaded. This is a Federal requirement for interstate moves. • Supervise unloading and unpacking. • Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.